There's been some recent confusion with the old spoiler thread, so I'm kicking off a new one for tonight's premiere. This is going to be the one for folks who've read all the books. So anything anybody might want to talk about is in bounds. Suffice to say, if you haven't read the books, you'll probably want to stay out of here until you do...

I'll bump the old spoiler-free thread shortly in case anybody's interested. For future reference the link to that one is here

Wow. So some interesting changes last night. Can someone help refresh my memory regarding the last two scenes?

Is there even any hint in the book that Stannis and Melisandre are hooking up? Doesn't that sort of smash his super pious and pure image. I remember part of his stubbornness in the books was rooted in that sort of unwavering purity. Seems like he can't be as judgmental and righteous if he's banging the red witch.

Also, I know some kind of variation of that scene with Craster and Jon Snow takes place but it's been so long, I can't how it all goes down in the book. But what we saw last night was way different, right - and way early?

Stannis and Mel, there were some hints, but it was never stated expressly and does seem out of character with Stannis (though we also have been led to believe that Ned fatehred a bastard, so apparently honor doesn't always include faithfulness to wife). I guess they felt it was needed to explain the shadow she's about to birth.

Jon finds out that the sons of Craster are left as sacrifices to the others in the books, but nothing like this where he sees it or gets knocked out. Just adding some drama to the show since the action with Jon doesn't really pick up until later in book two.

Bronn as leader of the city guard. Very different, but I like it as it clearly shows the city watch are now Tyrion's without having to go into painful detail or introduce another new character.

Wow. So some interesting changes last night. Can someone help refresh my memory regarding the last two scenes?

Is there even any hint in the book that Stannis and Melisandre are hooking up? Doesn't that sort of smash his super pious and pure image. I remember part of his stubbornness in the books was rooted in that sort of unwavering purity. Seems like he can't be as judgmental and righteous if he's banging the red witch.

Also, I know some kind of variation of that scene with Craster and Jon Snow takes place but it's been so long, I can't how it all goes down in the book. But what we saw last night was way different, right - and way early?

That bone-the-red-witch-on-the-war table scene was definitely not in the book. Seemed like some HBO-inspired T&A to me. Hope they don't go the TrueBlood route and substitute story line for ass (not that nice ginger ass isn't good).

Stannis and Mel, there were some hints, but it was never stated expressly and does seem out of character with Stannis (though we also have been led to believe that Ned fatehred a bastard, so apparently honor doesn't always include faithfulness to wife). I guess they felt it was needed to explain the shadow she's about to birth.

Jon finds out that the sons of Craster are left as sacrifices to the others in the books, but nothing like this where he sees it or gets knocked out. Just adding some drama to the show since the action with Jon doesn't really pick up until later in book two.

Bronn as leader of the city guard. Very different, but I like it as it clearly shows the city watch are now Tyrion's without having to go into painful detail or introduce another new character.

There are some pretty strong hints about Stannis and Melisandre, so that didn't bother me so much. Still they are undoubtedly going the True Blood way by upping the T&A. They added a whore character that's not even in the book - which I don't really care for (wiping the jizm off the other girls face that was covering for her was pretty funny).
Overall, though I don't mind the changes and they seem to have the blessing of GRRM-who. Is actually writing an episode this season. For the most part they seem like the right changes that balances out the needs of the readers and non-readers.

Speaking of True Blood - my buddy from the Joplin, MO area got cast to play a character in the upcoming season. Can't stand that show, but I'll have to check it out. He's pretty good actor. Probably just a bit part so I can stop watching when gets killed off.

There are some pretty strong hints about Stannis and Melisandre, so that didn't bother me so much. Still they are undoubtedly going the True Blood way by upping the T&A. They added a whore character that's not even in the book - which I don't really care for (wiping the jizm off the other girls face that was covering for her was pretty funny).
Overall, though I don't mind the changes and they seem to have the blessing of GRRM-who. Is actually writing an episode this season. For the most part they seem like the right changes that balances out the needs of the readers and non-readers.

Speaking of True Blood - my buddy from the Joplin, MO area got cast to play a character in the upcoming season. Can't stand that show, but I'll have to check it out. He's pretty good actor. Probably just a bit part so I can stop watching when gets killed off.